News Release

Donor Makes US$3 Million Personal Gift to CSFII, Largest in LCIF History

Oak Brook, Illinois, USA, April 17, 2008 -- The family of Mrs. Aruna A. Oswal has made the largest, single personal donation in Lions Clubs International Foundation's 40-year history by pledging a total of US$3 million to Campaign SightFirst II (CSFII).

Oswal is a member of the Lions Club of Juhu in Mumbai, India and is a Lions past district governor. In addition, she is a CSFII national fund-raising coordinator for India.

"We are thrilled to receive this landmark gift from one of our Campaign SightFirst II volunteer leaders," says Dr. Tae-Sup Lee, Lions past international president and CSFII chairperson. "Aruna Oswal has already served as an extraordinary leader through her previous generosity to the campaign. Her latest donation is a shining example of how Lions' own generosity has played a critical role in CSFII and our fight against preventable blindness."

CSFII is a coordinated, global fund-raising effort involving 1.35 million Lions in more than 45,000 clubs to continue and expand Lions' flagship blindness-prevention program, SightFirst. Lions have surpassed the US$150 million CSFII minimum goal early and now strive to raise an additional US$50 million by June 2008 as they pursue their US$200 million challenge goal to continue and expand SightFirst for future years.

SightFirst was launched by Lions in 1989 to battle preventable blindness. Through SightFirst, Lions have restored sight to more than 27 million people by funding cataract surgeries, vision screenings, and treatment that has prevented serious vision loss and improved eye care for hundreds of millions of individuals through SightFirst projects in 90 countries around the world.

Oswal's US$3 million pledge is an increase to her family's previous donation to CSFII of US$200,000. These new funds will allow Lions to fund vitally needed SightFirst eye-care services to many, many people. Given the average cost to restore one person's sight through SightFirst is US$6, Oswal's donation has the potential to save the sight of as many as 500,000 individuals.

In recognition of this donation, Oswal will be presented with a Knight of Leadership award on June 25 in Bangkok, Thailand, during the 91st Lions Clubs International Convention. Her name will also join the list of Humanitarian Partners displayed at LCI Headquarters in Oak Brook, Illinois, USA.

Lions Clubs International Foundation is the charitable arm of Lions Clubs International, the largest service club organization in the world with nearly 1.35 million members in 206 geographic areas and countries. LCIF was ranked by a Financial Times' study as the number one non-governmental organization with which to partner. Established in 1968, LCIF has been involved with blindness prevention and treatment for more than 15 years through the SightFirst program. Learn more about LCIF and Campaign SightFirst II efforts by visiting www.lcif.org.